Game Combining Aspects of Roulette and Poker

ABSTRACT

A roulette game played with cards. A deck of cards is used that is used to generate random numbers for roulette-style wagering. Wagers can be made both on the next card as well as poker hands formed from cards dealt from the deck.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/469,841, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/428,368, which claims benefit to U.S. provisional application60/746,861, all three applications of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entireties. This application is also acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/469,841, which is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/218,751, bothapplications of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties. This application is also a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/469,841, which is a continuation in part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/224,674, both applications of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entireties. This application is also acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/469,841 which is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/224,686, bothapplications of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties. This application is also a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/469,841, which is a continuation in part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/224,687, both applications of which are incorporated byreference in their entireties. This application is also a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 11/469,841, which is a continuation in partof U.S. application Ser. No. 11/419,367, which claims benefit to U.S.provisional application 60/746,857, both applications of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present inventive concept relates to a wagering game, and moreparticularly to a game which combines aspects of roulette and poker intoa single game.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Roulette is typically played with a ball and a wheel. Bets are placedonce and then a brand new game is started.

What is needed is a variation of roulette which will provide moreexcitement to players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide exciting variationsof blackjack that can be played in casinos.

The above aspects can be obtained by a method that includes (a)receiving next card wager(s) and two card poker hand wager(s) and threecard poker hand wager(s) (b) revealing a first card; (c) resolving thenext card wagers(s) using the first card; (d) receiving additional nextcard wager(s); (e) revealing a second card; (f) resolving the additionalnext card wager(s) using the second card; (g) resolving the two cardpoker hand wagers using the first card and the second card; (h)receiving more next card wager(s); (i) revealing a third card; (j)resolving the more next card wager(s) using the third card; and (k)resolving the three card poker hand wagers using the first card and thesecond card and the third card.

The above methods can also be obtained by a method that includes (a)providing a roulette wheel with at least 2 balls and slots associatedwith respective card values; (b) receiving poker hand wagers; (c)spinning the roulette wheel such that each of the balls stops in randomslots; (d) forming a poker hand with the respective card values for eachof the slots; and (e) resolving the poker hand wagers using the pokerhand.

The above methods can also be obtained by a method that includes (a)dealing two or more players cards; (b) dealing two or more dealerscards; (c) receiving a one card player vs. dealer wager; (d) receiving atwo card player vs. dealer wager; (e) revealing a first player's cardand a first dealer's card; (f) resolving the one card player vs. dealerwager by determining whether the player, or the dealer, has a better onecard hand; and (g) resolving the two card player vs. dealer wager bydetermining whether the player, or the dealer, has a better two cardhand.

These together with other aspects and advantages which will besubsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention,will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementingthe invention in which all wagers can be placed at any time, accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementingthe invention in which poker wagers are made initially and next cardwagers can be placed at any time, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a sample roulette poker table layout, accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementingthe invention which uses variable payouts, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method of playingroulette poker game using a dealer, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a drawing of a sample roulette poker table layout using adealer after a completed game, according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout.

The present general inventive concept relates to a method, system, andcomputer readable storage which allows a casino to allow players to playa variation of roulette using cards instead of a wheel.

A special deck of cards can be used which has the values 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,J, Q, K, A, for each of four suits (hearts, spades, clubs, diamonds).Alternatively, any special deck of cards can be used (e.g. Spanishdeck), a deck with one or more jokers, or a regular deck can be used.Typically, one deck can be used although multiple decks can be used aswell.

A player can make a “next card” wager, which is a wager on which cardwill actually be turned over next. For example, a player may bet that a3 of spades will be turned over next. The player may also bet on aparticular color, suit, etc.

A player can also make a poker hand wager, which is a wager on whether aparticular poker hand will be formed. For example, a player can bet thata flush can be formed. Poker wagers can be divided into poker wagerscomprising a certain number of cards. For example, a 2 card poker wagercan be made which comprises two cards, with possible hands such as pairof aces, any other pair, etc. A 3 card poker wager can be made whichcomprises three cards, with possible hands such as two of a kind, threeof a kind, flush, straight, straight flush, etc.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementingthe invention in which all wagers can be placed at any time, accordingto an embodiment.

The method can start with operation 100, wherein the house receives anyand all wagers from the player(s). This can include next card wagers andpoker hand wagers.

The method can then proceed to operation 102, wherein the house deals(and/or reveals) a next card (e.g. operation 102 deals the first card,then upon returning to operation 102, the second card is dealt, etc.)

Form operation 102, the method proceeds to operation 104, which resolvesany wagers that are fully determined. For example, any next card wagersare resolved once the next card is dealt. Any 3 card poker hand wagersare resolved once three cards are dealt, etc.

From operation 104, the method can proceed to operation 106, whichdetermines whether all cards are dealt. If all cards are not dealt, thenthe method can return to operation 100, which receives additionalwagers.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementingthe invention in which poker wagers are made initially and next cardwagers can be placed at any time, according to an embodiment.

The method begins with operation 200, which receives any next cardwager(s) and poker wager(s). A next card wager is a wager on what thenext card will be. The wager can be placed on a particular card (e.g. 10spades), color of the next card, suit, etc. Of course the payouts on thewagers will be dependent upon the odds of winning (e.g. betting that thenext card will be a particular color will be easier (and thus have arelatively lower payout) than a bet that the next card will be aparticular card (e.g. eight diamonds). The player can make as manywager(s) as he/she likes.

The method can proceed to operation 202, which deals (or reveals) thefirst card face up.

The method can proceed to operation 204, which resolves any next cardwager(s).

The method can proceed to operation 206, which receives any additionalnext card wager(s).

The method can proceed to operation 208, which deals (reveals) the nextcard.

From operation 208, the method can proceed to operation 210, whichdetermines whether all cards have been revealed. If all cards have notbeen revealed, then the method returns to operation 206 which receivesany additional next card wager(s).

If the determination in operation 210 determines that all cards havebeen revealed, then the method proceeds to operation 212, which resolvesall next card wagers and poker wagers.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a sample roulette poker table layout, accordingto an embodiment.

Next card wagers (or roulette wagers) 300 comprises wagers on what thenext card will be and can include wagers on individual cards (rows 1-9from top), what the suit of the next card will be (row 10), and what thecolor of the next card will be (row 11), and whether the next card willbe a joker (row 11) (this of course assumes the deck contains a joker).Of course, each of these wagers has a payout dependent upon theprobability of the occurrence. These wagers can be resolved uponrevealing of a single card.

Poker wagers 302 comprise several different 2 card bets, severaldifferent 3 card bets, several different 4 card bets, and severaldifferent 5 card bets. The two card bets are in the first column and caninclude a suited pair, a high pair (e.g. jacks, queens, kings, aces), alow pair (sixes, sevens, or eights), any other pair (twos through fivesand nines through tens), a suited blackjack, and a non-suited blackjack.The three card poker wagers are in the second column and can include astraight flush, a flush or better, a straight, a three of a kind, twopair, and a high pair (JJ, QQ, KK or AA). The four card poker wagers arein the third column and can include a straight flush (or better), aflush or better, a straight, a three of a kind, two pairs, and a highpair (JJ, QQ, KK, or AA). The five card poker wagers are in the fourthcolumn and can include a straight flush (or better), a flush or better,a straight, a three of a kind, two pairs, and a high pair (JJ, QQ, KK,or AA). When a player makes a poker wager he can make it on any wager heor she chooses. Thus, a player can choose how many cards of a poker handhe/she wishes the wager to involve, and which particular hand or handshe/she wishes those cards to form. For example, the player can wager ona three card three of a kind (which according to Figure III pays 9:1) ora five card three of a kind (which according to Figure III pays 3:1). Ofcourse the latter pays less because it is easier to get a five cardthree of a kind than a three card three of a kind. The poker ranksdescribed herein are the same as what is well known in the art(straight, flush, etc.)

An example game will now be presented. All five cards are dealt facedown. The player places $2 next card wager on black and a $2 next cardwager on the ten of spades. The player also places four wagers: $1 on atwo card bet (any pair), $1 on a two card bet (blackjack); $1 on a threecard bet (straight); $1 on a four card bet (straight); and $1 on a fivecard bet (three of a kind). The first card is turned over, it is a kingof spades (black). Thus, the player wins $2 on the wager on black (thiscan pay even money) and the player loses the $2 next card wager (sincethe player bet on the ten of spades). The player now makes a new nextcard wager on red. In this embodiment using fixed payouts, the playercannot make any further two card/three card/four card/or five card bets(because the player has already seen the first card and could capitalizeon this knowledge). The player can make as many next card wager(s) ashe/she wishes. The dealer reveals the second card, which is an ace ofclubs. The player loses his next card wager (since the player was hopingthe card would be a red card). The player loses the two card any pairwager (since the two cards revealed do not comprise a pair). The playerwins the two card blackjack wager (since the two cards revealed comprisea blackjack). The player declines to make any next wagers this time. Thedealer now reveals the third card, which is a three of clubs. The playerloses the three card bet (straight) since the three cards revealed donot comprise a straight. The player declines to make a next card wager.The dealer now reveals the fourth card, which is a three of hearts. Theplayer loses the four card bet (straight) since the cards revealed donot comprise a straight. The player declines to make a next card wager.The dealer reveals the fifth card which is a three of diamonds. Theplayer wins the five card bet (three of a kind) since out of the fivecards revealed, a three of a kind (three threes) exists. Thus, theplayer is paid 3:1 (or whatever the respective payout is) on the fivecard three of a kind bet. Now the game is over, the cards are removed,(optionally) reshuffled, and new bets can be placed and a new game canbegin.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementingthe invention which uses variable payouts, according to an embodiment.

Note that FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2, but note that in operation 408,additional poker wagers can be received as well even after the firstcard has been revealed (in operation 402). This is because in operation404, payouts are revised after each card is revealed to reflect thecards already revealed. Thus, for example, if two cards are dealt(revealed) and they comprise a pair, a bet on a three of a kind wouldhave a lower payout because making this hand would typically be easierthan if the first two cards were not a pair.

Table I illustrates sample dynamic payouts for hands after initialcard(s) are revealed. This table is based on eight decks being used,although of course any amount of decks can be used. For example, if thefirst card revealed is a 6 through A, then if the next card creates asuited pair then this pays 40 (e.g. the first card is a 8 of spades, theplayer bets $1 on a suited pair, and the second card is also an 8 ofspades, the player is paid 40 chips). As a further example, if the firsttwo cards are any pair, and the player wagers that the third card willmake a three of a kind, and this happens (e.g. the first two cards are apair of deuces, and the third card is also a deuce), then the playerwins 9 times his or her original bet.

TABLE I House Notes Pays Wins Losses EV Edge 2 Card Hands Suited pair(first card is 6-A) 40 7 296 −0.0528 5.28% High Pair, JJ-AA (first cardis J-A) 8 31 272 −0.0792 7.92% Low Pair, 66-99 (first card is 6-9) 8 31272 −0.0792 7.92% Any Pair, 66-AA (first card is 6-A) 8 31 272 −0.07927.92% Suited Blackjack (first card is Ace) 8 32 271 −0.0495 4.95%Blackjack (first card is Ace) 1 128 175 −0.1551 15.51% 3 Card Hands Thisincludes Straight Flush Straight Flush or Better (first 2 cards are 1716 286 −0.0464 4.64% only 78-QK suited) This includes Flush only Flushor Better (first 2 cards are same 3 70 232 −0.0728 7.28% suit) Straight(first 2 cards are 78-QK) 3 64 238 −0.1523 15.23% [Pay of 8 = House EdgeThree of a Kind (first 2 cards are a pair) 9 30 272 −0.0066 0.66% 10.6%][Pay of 8 = House Edge Two Pairs (first 2 cards are a pair) 9 30 272−0.0066 0.66% 10.6%] High Pair (first 2 cards are 2 different 3 62 240−0.1788 17.88% high cards e.g. QK) 4 Card Hands This includes StraightFlush Straight Flush or Better (first 3 cards are 17 16 285 −0.04324.32% only 789-JQK suited) This includes Flush, 4 of a Flush or Better(first 3 cards are same 3 69 232 −0.0831 8.31% Kind, and Straight Flushsuit) Straight (first 3 cards are 789-JQK) 3 64 237 −0.1495 14.95% Threeof Kind, must make a 3 of a kind 8 30 271 −0.1030 10.30% using the 4thcard (first 3 cards contain a pair e.g. Joker-8-8) Notes: Eg of winninghands: Two Pairs (first 3 cards contain a pair + 3 61 240 −0.1894 18.94%7788, 8777 non Joker e.g. 7-7-8) High Pair (first 3 cards are 3different 2 93 208 −0.0731 7.31% high cards e.g. JKA) 5 Card Hands Thisalso includes 5 of a Kind Straight Flush or Better (first 4 cards are 928 272 −0.0667 6.67% and Royal Flush. Odds are 4 of a Kind or 789T-TJQKsuited) based off of Straight Flush or 5 of a Kind. This includes Flush,Full Flush or Better (first 4 cards are same 3 68 232 −0.0933 9.33%House, Four of a Kind, and the suit or first 4 cards are 2 pairs) handsabove. Odds based off of Flush or Full House. Straight (first 4 cardsare 789T-TJQK) 3 64 236 −0.1467 14.67% Three of a Kind, must make a 3 ofa kind 3 60 240 −0.2000 20.00% using the 5th card (first 4 cards are twopairs e.g. JJKK) Notes: Eg of winnings hands: Two Pairs, must make 2pairs using the 2 92 208 −0.0800 8.00% 7-7-8-9-9, 7-7-8-9-7 5th card(first 4 cards contain 1 pair + 2 singletons e.g. 7-7-8-9) High Pair,must make high pair using the 1 124 176 −0.1733 17.33% 5th card (first 4cards are JQKA)

In a further embodiment of the inventive concept, a dealer's hand can beused as well as part of the game.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method of playingroulette poker game using a dealer, according to an embodiment.

The method can start with operation 500, which deals a player and adealer each 5 cards, face down. Of course, any other number of cards canbe used.

The method continues to operation 502, which receives poker bets.

From operation 502, the method proceeds to operation 504, which receivesa roulette bet on the next card to be revealed. This bet can beoptional.

The method proceeds to operation 506, which reveals a successive (next)card of the player, and resolves any outstanding roulette bet.

From operation 506, the method can proceed to operation 508, whichdetermines whether all player's cards are revealed. If all the player'scards have not yet been revealed, then the method can return tooperation 504.

If the determination in operation 508 determines that all the player'scards have been revealed, then the method can proceed to operation 510which receives a roulette bet on a successive dealer's card to berevealed. This bet can be optional.

From operation 510, the method proceeds to operation 512, which revealsa successive dealer's card, and resolves any outstanding roulette bet.

From operation 512, the method proceeds to operation 514, which resolvesa poker bet for the number of cards revealed. For example, if only onedealer's card is revealed, then the one card poker bet is resolved,using the revealed dealer's card and the corresponding (meaning oppositeto the dealer's card) player's card. If two dealer's cards are revealed,then a two card poker bet can be resolved, using the two revealeddealer's cards and the corresponding player's cards. A poker bet cancompare a dealer's hand to a player's hand to determine the best hand.Also, a poker bet can be non-competitive and just be based on cards inthe player's hand, the cards in the dealer's hand, or cards in bothhands.

From operation 514, the method proceeds to operation 516, whichdetermines whether all of the dealer's cards are revealed. If all of thedealer's cards have not yet been revealed, then the method returns tooperation 510.

If all of the dealer's cards have been revealed, then the method canproceed to operation 518, which ends the game.

An example of the game will now be presented in order to illustrate howit operates. Of course, this is merely one example and any otherparameters (number of cards, type of deck, bets made, etc.) can be usedas well.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of a sample roulette poker table layout using adealer after a completed game, according to an embodiment.

While all of the cards in FIG. 6 are dealt face up (which would be thestate at the end of the game), for purposes of this example considerthat all of the cards are face down and will be revealed in turn.

A player places a one card poker hand bet, a two card poker hand bet, athree card poker hand bet, a four card poker hand bet, and a five cardpoker hand bet, and a first roulette bet.

The first player's card is revealed (ten clubs). The first roulette betis resolved using the first player's card. The player may then place asecond roulette bet. The second player's card is then revealed (acediamonds). The second roulette bet is then resolved using the secondplayer's card. The player may then place a third roulette bet. The thirdplayer's card is then revealed (three hearts), and the third roulettebet is then resolved using the third player's card. The player may thenplace a fourth roulette bet. The fourth player's card is then revealed(king spades), and the fourth roulette bet is then resolved. The playermay then place a fifth roulette bet. The fifth player's card is thenrevealed (ace spades), and the fifth roulette bet is then resolved.

The player can now make a sixth roulette bet. The first dealer's card isthen revealed (four diamonds). The sixth roulette bet is now resolvedusing the first dealer's card. The one card poker hand bet is nowresolved. This poker bet can be a high card bet, in which case theplayer would win since the 10 is higher than the four.

The player can now make a seventh roulette bet. The second dealer's cardis then revealed (four clubs). The seventh roulette bet is now resolvedusing the second dealer's card. The two card poker hand bet is nowresolved. In this case, the two card poker hand is the best blackjackhand, in which the player has an ace-ten (blackjack) vs. the dealer'sfour/four (total of eight), thus the player wins the two card pokerhand.

The player can now make an eighth roulette bet. The third dealer's cardis now revealed (two spades). The eighth roulette bet is now resolvedusing the third dealer's card. The three card poker hand bet is nowresolved. In this case the player's three card poker hand is (ten clubs,ace diamonds, three hearts), and the dealer's three card poker hand is(four diamonds, four clubs, two spades). Thus, the dealer has a pair andthe player has an ace high, thus the dealer wins the three card pokerhand bet (thus the player's wager is taken off the table).

The player can now make a ninth roulette bet. The fourth dealer's cardis now revealed (jack hearts). The ninth roulette bet is now resolvedusing the fourth dealer's card. The four card poker hand bet is nowresolved. In this case, the four card poker bet is the lowest threecards out of four. Thus, in the case of the player, the lowest threecards are the ten clubs, three hearts, king spades. The lowest threedealer's cards are four diamonds, jack hearts, two spades. Note that thefour clubs is not included in the lowest hand because this would createa pair, which would not be the lowest hand. The lowest hand out of thesetwo hands wins. The dealer has the lowest hand, as the dealer's highestcard (jack hearts) is lower than the player's highest card (kindspades). Generally, the winner of the lowest three our of four isdetermined by taking the three cards which form the lowest hand out ofthe four, then comparing the player's three card hand and the dealer'sthree card hand to determine which hand is lowest (using standard pokerranks).

The player can now make a tenth roulette bet. The fifth and lastdealer's card is now revealed (three diamonds). The tenth roulette betcan now be resolve using the fifth dealer's card (three diamonds). Thefive card poker bet can now be resolved. In this example, the best fivecard poker hand wins. Thus, the player has a pair of aces, and thedealer has a pair of fours. Thus, the player wins the five card pokerhand wager.

The game is now over. A total of fifteen bets have been placed andresolved (10 roulette bets and 5 poker hand bets). Although the roulettebets may be optional at the option of the house (or the player). Inother words, the house may require a roulette bet each time a card isrevealed, or the house may not require it and it would be optional tothe player whether he or she wants to place one. The same can be saidfor the poker bets, they may be optional at the option of the house (orthe player).

Other poker bets can be bet on also, such as whether each respectiveplayer's card will match the dealer's card. Also poker hands can be beton that do not compete the player against the dealer. For example, aplayer can bet whether the player's (or dealers) first two cards willcomprise a blackjack.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilledin the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstruction and operation illustrated and described, and accordinglyall suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

1. A method to resolve wagers placed by a player, the method comprising:receiving next card wager(s) and two card poker hand wager(s) and threecard poker hand wager(s) revealing a first card; resolving the next cardwagers(s) using the first card; receiving additional next card wager(s);revealing a second card; resolving the additional next card wager(s)using the second card; resolving the two card poker hand wagers usingthe first card and the second card; receiving more next card wager(s);revealing a third card; resolving the more next card wager(s) using thethird card; and resolving the three card poker hand wagers using thefirst card and the second card and the third card.
 2. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the deck comprises cards from six to ace offour different suits.
 3. A method as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising revising payouts for poker wagers after each card isrevealed, and displaying the revised payouts.
 4. A method of placingwagers, the method comprising: providing a roulette wheel with at least2 balls and slots associated with respective card values; receivingpoker hand wagers; spinning the roulette wheel such that each of theballs stops in random slots; forming a poker hand with the respectivecard values for each of the slots; and resolving the poker hand wagersusing the poker hand.
 5. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein thereare 5 balls.
 6. A method to play a wager game, the method comprising:dealing two or more players cards; dealing two or more dealers cards;receiving a one card player vs. dealer wager; receiving a two cardplayer vs. dealer wager; revealing a first player's card and a firstdealer's card; resolving the one card player vs. dealer wager bydetermining whether the player, or the dealer, has a better one cardhand; and resolving the two card player vs. dealer wager by determiningwhether the player, or the dealer, has a better two card hand.
 7. Amethod as recited in claim 6, wherein five player cards are dealt andfive dealer cards are dealt.
 8. A method as recited in claim 6, furthercomprising receiving next card wager(s) before each card is revealed.